httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQk0JH2Mlns

MOSCOW – Ksenia Sobchak, who has surprised Russia by declaring herself a candidate in next year’s presidential election, has repeatedly reinvented herself, from privileged party girl to reality TV show host before diving into politics and independent journalism.

Here are five things to know about Sobchak’s life and career.

Sobchak’s father Anatoly Sobchak was a liberal politician and the first mayor of Saint Petersburg.

Putin stood beside Ksenia and her mother at the graveside after Anatoly Sobchak died of a heart attack in 2000.

Sobchak shocked many by appearing at mass protests in 2011 and 2012 against Putin over disputed election results.

Her opening line was: “I am Ksenia Sobchak and I have something to lose, but all the same I’m .” She was detained by riot police along with opposition leader Alexei Navalny at a Moscow rally in May 2012 but released without charge.